I have already created/simulated one circuit that can work at 1.10 Volt ( +- 0.55 Volt )
I have discovered that the lownoise transistors I use, have different level of Vbe.
For example it appears 2SC2240/2SA970 has lower base-emitter voltage than BC550/560 and 2N5551/5401.

:cool: I want to know which audio transistors has got lowest VBE :cool:
Under low current working conditions and very low voltage.
Say 0.2-2.5 mA and Collector-Emitter voltages of 0.1 - 1.0 Volt.

Lineup

Mooly

20th July 2008 05:19 PM

Hi Lineup,
That's a tall order :) If it's any use I have circuit for a 3 volt moving coil head amp -- draws 1.5 ma. It's one of JLH's designs and uses a power transistor in common base mode for the input stage. Gives lower noise apparently due to the larger die size in this application.
Regards Karl

lineup

20th July 2008 06:17 PM

3 Volt and 1.5 mA supply current.
Perfect for battery!

I would say making a discrete amplifier for 2 x 1.20-1.65 Volt (2 Batteries) is more attractive and useful.This way we can use DC-output stage (without capacitor).

Of course, if my op-amp can work at 1.10 Volt (1 Battery)
it is no problem to make it work for 2.00 - 3.30 Volt.

When working at as low voltage as around 1 Volt,
with one input differential pair,
we are almost restricted to only use Inverting Amplification.
With non-inverted input tied to half supply voltage.
This Gives almost constant VCE operation and allows some input voltage span.

Is no coincidence so many Headphone Amplifier Chips, for lower voltages,
shows the typical appplication is INVERTED Amp.

There are a few very low voltage chips, for lower voltage than 2.7 V.
The many with voltage 2.7 is clearly the target value for use in 2 x 1.5 V Battery devices.
... like mp3 players etc.

Mooly

21st July 2008 06:34 AM

Hi Lineup,
If you want copy send me an E-Mail. It's not an OpAmp configuration though, it's a a 3 transistor low input impedance design for use with a MC cartridge.
I think Maxim ? may have produced some OpAmps for very low supply voltages in the past.

AndrewT

21st July 2008 08:00 AM

try Zetex for low Vbe and low Vcesat

sandyK

21st July 2008 10:06 AM

Vbe Lowest? In lownoise bipolar transistors

lineup

Have a look at the LM194/LM394. I understand that they are actually multiple transistors in parallel in both halves. They have a lower than average VBE, and VCE sat. is quite low at 1mA collector current.

As I remember, old germanium transistors have low Vbe.
But they have narrow bandwidth, great instability and create a lot of noise... keep them away from audio circuits...:xeye:

lineup

21st July 2008 06:15 PM

Re: Vbe Lowest? In lownoise bipolar transistors

Quote:

Originally posted by Mooly Hi Lineup,
If you want copy send me an E-Mail. It's not an OpAmp configuration though, it's a a 3 transistor low input impedance design for use with a MC cartridge.

Thanks, I wait till you publish it, Mooly :)

Quote:

Originally posted by AndrewT try Zetex for low Vbe and low Vcesat

Quote:

Originally posted by sandyK lineup
Have a look at the LM194/LM394. I understand that they are actually multiple transistors in parallel in both halves. They have a lower than average VBE, and VCE sat. is quite low at 1mA collector current.
Collector to Emitter IC e 1 mA, IB e 10 uA 0.2 typical
Saturation Voltage IC e 1 mA, IB e 100 uA 0.1 typical

SandyK. Thanks for info.
But as I think, the LM194/LM394 are very hard to find transistors.
Maybe even obsolete ...
But they are no doubt high class. Super Matched Lownoise Pair .. as I recall.

AndrewT.
Thanks. I will try some of my ZETEX transistor spice models.
And see if they compare lower VBE.
:) What are the Lownoise or General small signal transistor devices from ZETEX?
TO-92 standard/higher gain.
Suitable for low level audio circuits?

lineup

21st July 2008 06:34 PM

2 Attachment(s)

I see in this
ZETEX Application note from 1995
they use ZTX650 npn and ZTX750 pnp